The combination of enzymes and chemically responsive smart materials presents considerable opportunities in anti-fouling, sensing, or medicine. Among stimuli-responsive polymers, liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have emerged as a leading actuator platform due to their inherent programmability, realizing shape transformations and large strains upon exposure to stimuli. The immobilization of biocatalytic enzymes in LCEs presents an unprecedented opportunity to create polymers that undergo shape reconfigurations in response to specific biosignals. Herein, we report how the incorporation of enzymes such as urease, lipase, glucose oxidase, or trypsin enables biochemical sensing and subsequent actuation in acid- and base-responsive LCEs. Notably, by using different enzymes as molecular transducers, chemically responsive LCEs were sensitized to multiple classes of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, or peptides. Different techniques used to program the type of shape reconfiguration, such as nematic director alignment or enzyme patterning, will be discussed. Such approaches enabled the transformation of flat polymer films into curls, arches, or accordions upon LCE exposure to enzymatic substrates. Finally, the use of additive manufacturing techniques such as direct ink writing to fabricate custom-made bioresponsive actuators will be examined in the context of potentially creating personalized smart implants or drug delivery devices.

Biocatalytic liquid crystal elastomers: a versatile platform for biomolecular-responsive actuation

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